news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
September 2009

from the Manse

'There was a Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman - Sorry, but I can't tell you any more, lest I be arrested by the Racial Police! A sense of humour can be one way to let off steam and ease the stresses of this mortal coil. Unless, that is if it is at someone else's expense and is demeaning.

On the 13th of this month, the ecumenical body 'Churches Together in Britain and Ireland' are asking all churches to remember Racial Justice Sunday which aims to remind us of the diversity of the population in these islands. The Bible theme for the day is from St Mark 8 vs. 29 and the words of Jesus -

Who do you say I am?

These words pose 2 questions, not only to faithful disciples past and present, but also to the wider and diverse communities that we live in today. It is all too easy to demean someone who doesn't appear to belong to, or fit in to, our particular social circle. We remember the truculent disciple Nathanael when Philip asked him to come and meet Jesus. 'Can any good come out of Nazareth' was his biased reply. We still hear these sentiments today don't we? Sadly, we tacitly support them! Tying in with this theme is another event in September, when we celebrate 'Homecoming '. No, the church is not competing with the heather and tartan image, but is encouraging people to celebrate their Christian roots and literally, come home to the church they once knew or have left behind! Remembering the parable of the prodigal son and his homecoming, strikes so many chords - loss and redemption, love and forgiveness. As he is brought low by the indignities of poverty and homelessness, the wayward son decides to swallow his pride and return to his father's house, thankful to be home. It can be difficult returning to church, so we All need to be very aware and accepting of those who seek to worship with us once again.

'You welcomed me as if I were an angel'

- Gal 4.14, is the invitation and it is one that we should all try to emulate.

May God bless you and keep you.
Yours aye, Duncan

Brian Millar

As most of you will know by now, we laid Brian to rest with his beloved Sandra on Friday (4th Sept) following his battle with cancer. In spite of considerable discomfort in recent times, Brian was resolute in his determination to see the Newsletter published following his regular monthly visits to the Manse for coffee and to assist me in its printing. He was awesome in his ability to master the manse computer and I learned a lot from him in this regard. Ever a private man, any inquiry about his health was met with a suitably vague reply, when clearly he was suffering! I shall certainly miss him for his dry and ready humour on these occasions and his enthusiasm for the Newsletter. He researched diligently many of the contributions that we have so enjoyed and indeed have learned from. In the words of Shakespeare, The King is dead long live the King! The Newsletter will continue to bring you news, views and a 'what's on' in our parish, as indeed Brian would have wished.

A Prayer for the Armed Forces of the Crown

Heavenly Father, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; and give them courage to face the perils that beset them; and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love; in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please use this prayer and also be mindful of their families at home

Cows can be good news for the environment, says charity

COWS, accused of being a significant cause of global warming because they emit methane, can help reduce greenhouse gases, Christian charity said last week. The charity 'Send a Cow', which used to fly cows to Africa from UK, now sources all its livestock locally. 'Recent independent research into one of our projects indicates that an average Send A Cow project in Uganda absorbe more than twice as much carbon as is emitted by livestock and staff travel,' said Lorraine Finnegan who works for the charity.The charity achieved this turnaround by training farmers to make compost from cow dung and urine, to plant fodder trees to feed the cows and absorb carbon, and to chop up the cow's feed and mix it with legumes to make it more digestible. 'We also train families in compost management, so that manure emits less methane as in breaks down,' she said. The gas could also be used for fuel.(www.sendacow.org.uk No! This is not a wind up. Ed.)

Blythswood

Please ensure that no bags are left until the day or the night before collection

Burghead dates

Grant Street

1300-1330

22 Sep

20 Oct

24 Nov

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Please support the Coffee Morning in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Care Nurses. It will take place in the Church Hall, Burghead on Saturday 26th September 10 am to 12 noon.

Marriages

1st August: Heather Jarvis and Daniel Lees - 3 Cromarty View, Burghead;
15th August: Scott Bassett and Alison Myers - 7 St Aethan's Close, Burghead.

Funerals

11th August: Ruth Hindley - Alves
30th August: Brian Millar - Burghead

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. There are vacant slots. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.